Cosmetic Films

Abstract

Personal care products, including cosmetics, are provided as solid, water-soluble polymeric films which adhere to a human integument when wetted. The invention also relates to such films having plural laminated layers, at least two of which possess different cosmetic or therapeutic characteristics.

1 . A personal care product, having the form of a solid film comprising a water-soluble polymeric matrix having an optical component homogenously dispersed therein, said optical component being selected from the group consisting of liquid crystals, glitters, optical brighteners, cosmetic fibers, and combinations thereof, wherein said solid film is capable of being wetted and adhered to a human integument. 
     
     
         2 . A personal care product, having the form of a solid film comprising a water-soluble polymeric matrix, wherein said solid film is capable of being wetted and adhered to a human integument; and wherein said film includes a polymeric film former that shrinks on drying such that the film contracts in one or more dimensions when dried on the skin to thereby provide a tightening effect to the skin. 
     
     
         3 . A personal care product, having the form of a solid, transparent film comprising a water-soluble polymeric matrix having an optically transparent dispersion of zinc oxide particles homogenously dispersed therein, wherein said solid film is capable of being wetted and adhered to a human integument to leave a transparent film thereon. 
     
     
         4 . The personal care product according to  claim 3 , wherein said dispersion of zinc oxide particles has a median particle diameter (D 50 ) between about 1 micron (μm) and about 5 μm and a D 90  of less than about 10 μm, on a volume basis. 
     
     
         5 . The personal care product according to  claim 3 , wherein said dispersion of zinc oxide particles has a D 50  between about 1.5 μm and about 3 μm; a D 90  of less than about 6.5 μm; and a D 10  greater than 0.1 μm, on a volume basis. 
     
     
         6 . The personal care product according to  claim 3 , wherein said zinc oxide particles comprise from about 1% to about 30% of the weight of said film. 
     
     
         7 . The personal care product according to any of  claims 1 - 3 , wherein said water-soluble polymeric matrix comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, sodium alginate, polyethylene glycol, polyethylene oxide, xanthan gum, tragacanth gum, guar gum, acacia gum, gum arabic, pullan, carrageenan, polyacrylic acid, methyl(meth)acrylate copolymers, carboxyvinyl copolymers, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The personal care product according to  claim 7 , wherein the water soluble film forming agent is hydroxypropyl methylcellulose. 
     
     
         9 . The personal care product according to  claim 7 , further including a plasticizer in an amount from about 0.01% to about 40.0% of the weight of said film, and a thickener in an amount from about 0.01% to about 10.0% of the weight of said film. 
     
     
         10 . The personal care product according to any of  claims 1 - 3 , wherein said film is between about 1 and about 5 mils in thickness. 
     
     
         11 . A personal care product, having the form of a solid film comprising plural laminated layers, including a first layer of a first solid water-soluble polymeric matrix, and a second layer of a second solid water-soluble polymeric matrix, wherein said solid film is capable of being wetted and adhered to a human integument. 
     
     
         12 . The personal care product according to  claim 11 , wherein said first and second layers have different refractive indices. 
     
     
         13 . The personal care product according to  claim 12 , wherein said first layer is transparent and said second layer is translucent, semi-opaque, or opaque. 
     
     
         14 . The personal care product according to  claim 13 , wherein said first layer is transparent and colorless and said second layer is translucent, semi-opaque, or opaque, and includes one or more pigments, pearls, lakes, or dyes. 
     
     
         15 . The personal care product according to  claim 11 , wherein said first layer comprises a first optical component and said second layer comprises a second optical component different from said first optical agent. 
     
     
         16 . The personal care product according to  claim 15 , wherein said first layer includes an optical blurring agent, and said second layer includes a reflectance pearl, and wherein said solid film is configured to match the shape of the area under human eyes associated with dark circles, wherein the film is capable of being wetted and adhered to the area under the eyes to reduce the appearance of dark circles. 
     
     
         17 . The personal care product according to  claim 11 , wherein said first layer includes a first cosmetic or therapeutic component and said second layer comprises a second cosmetic or therapeutic component that is incompatible with said first cosmetic or therapeutic component. 
     
     
         18 . The personal care product according to  claim 11 , wherein said first and second layers have different dissolution rates in water, wherein said solid film is capable of being wetted and adhered to a human integument. 
     
     
         19 . The personal care product according to  claim 18 , wherein said first layer and second layer constitute opposite faces of said film, and said first layer has a greater solubility in water than said second layer, wherein said first layer includes a reconstitutable pigmented cosmetic formulation and said second layer comprises a therapeutic active agent for treating the skin, such that when the second layer is wetted, the film is capable of adhering to the skin without significantly dissolving said second layer, and said first layer is capable of rapid dissolution in water to reconstitute the pigmented cosmetic formulation, such that the second layer may deliver said therapeutic active agent to the skin over a prolonged duration, while said pigmented cosmetic formulation may be spread over the second layer and skin to conceal said second layer. 
     
     
         20 . The personal care product according to  claim 19 , wherein said first layer has a dissolution rate in water faster than 15 seconds, and said second layer has a dissolution rate in water of slower than one minute. 
     
     
         21 . The personal care dissolvable film of  claim 11 , wherein said first and second water-soluble polymeric matrices comprises a polymer independently selected from the group consisting of methylcellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydrophobically modified hydroxyethyl cellulose, or cationic hydrophobically modified hydroxyethyl cellulose.